Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-20
MAINE DISPATCHES.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
At BOwdOin COlles HYDE De.
livers the Baccalaureate Sermon iu an
Eloquent Manner.

hINS " i'm, June To-
The commencement exercises began at
Bowdoin college this afternoon with baccal-
aureate sermon. Soon after o'clock the
seniors were marshalled into the church.
Prof. II. L. Chapman read an appropriate
selection from the scriptures which was fol-
lowed by singing and prayer. The baccalau-
reate sermon, strong and logical plea for
the acceptance of christianity, was ably de.
livered by President HYDE. Following is an
abstract:
Christ in you the hope of glory. Colossans
|, 27.
Glory is a favorable place in the thought of
others. The Greek word doxa in our text
comes from verb meaning to think, or pas
sively. to be thought of. The Latin gloria
likewise goes back to a verb meaning to call,
or passlvely TO hear oneself called Here
we get clue to the conflicting theories that
have been held respecting the worth and dig
ntv of the love of glory a motive If the
thought In which we seek to gain favorable
place is false, if its judgment is superficial if
its standards are low, then the glory which
comes from having a favorable place in such
thought is to be despised.
On the other hand if can find the true
thought about us anywhere, then the glory
which comes from occupying a favorable
place in that true thought Is thing above all
others to be coveted and cherished 1t is be-
cause we know that somew here, seen or un-
seen, without or within, human or divine
there is a thought " hose view of Us is lust and
true, that the thirst for approval in that
thought, the hope of glory can never die out
of any one of us.
Christ in you is the secret of such glory
Does that sound vague and mystical? Let US
try to make II concrete and practical.
You are looking forward to variety of
profession; law, medicine, ministry, jour
nalism. teaching, business. Let US see what
sort of professional men Christ within you
will cause you to be.
just halt a century ago there graduated
here a man, who without being a genius in
scholarship, vet had, to use his own words,
faith, faith in God, and faith in man, as the
secret OF a true enthusiasm" His faith in
man was shown in al unparalleled readiness to
give to every poor, unfortunate client the
fullest benefit OF his time, strength and tai
ants. He served the poor no less ai'hfully,
because they had nothing to pay. His faith
IN God was amply shown in the great crisis
of the civil war. Abraham Lincoln on hearing
of n fervent prayer which he had offered be
fore sending message to Washington, re-
markell. w USu We ldNe tut bONeTuoT VI
Massachusetts, to send US troops in the way
he has, and when we have him to utter such
prayers for us have no doubt that we will
succeed" You know to whom refer. May
you who are to be lawyers seek glory along
the lines of Christian faith in God. and Christ
like love for man where your brother
Alumuus of fifty years ago, the war Cover
nor of Massachusetts, found place of honor
in Gods approval and a nations gratitude.
Christ in the physician will make him az. .
cept the sacred interests of human health and
life as a trust The quack, the half educated
ply scan, is lier, thief and murderer, all IN
one. Christ in you who are to be physicians
will keep you from the base and murderous
pretense of knowing wha. you do not know
and will make you do thoroughly. carefully,
prayertully whatever you undertake.
The Christ-like minister. who watches from
early years each growing boy and girl; who
guides Alright their forming habits, and teach
es parents to make home more heavenly for
the children's sake; who warns the young
from fatal errors and impresses ideals of
beauty, truth and nobleness; who sustains
the burdened man of business in trial and
temptation, and keeps him true to justice and
mercy who rebukes the worldly, labors with
the dissolute; rescues the fallen; gives as
surance to the dying that to those who trust
their Heavenly Father ever change must be
a gain-ths minister in whom Christ dwells,
lives glorious life.
Christ in the teacher makes him faithful
witness of the unrecognized true in the ed
tor champion of the unpopular right; in the
business man, a servant of the often unpront-
able just.
For the self-seeking. avarlcious time
server of these professions the nearest sp
prosch TO glory that even the smartest can
gain is the vain and empty wonder of the
vulgar and the base The absence of Christ
is the imposslbility OF glory. Christ is the
embodiment of everything praiseworthy in
conduct and character. And since glory
consists in being thought well of by worthy
judges, your only hope of glory lies in acting
out. in your chosen professions, the prlnci
pies and spirit, the conduct and character OF
Christ.
Members of the graduating class, your
Alma Mater early was berothed to Christ
To be in the truest sense her sons you must
bear His image as well as hers. She will
feel a natural pride in whatever you accom-
plish. But she will be made most deeply
glad, just in proportion as in and through the
lives of usefulness and honor for which she
has done her best to fit you she shall see
Christ in you, speaking through you the
words of Christ, doing through you the deeds
OF righteousness and charity aud valor, and
winning for you the truest glory.
May this, her parting prayer, be henceforth
your own idesl-Christ in you the hope of
glory. Thus yours shall be lives of ever in
cressing usefulness and honor as long as the
fond eyes of your cherishing mother can
watch you; and then the gradually increasing
stars upon her catalogue will tell her that
one after another has realized at last her hope
of glory for you in the presence of God
whose approval is the ultimate source of
glory, and whose benediction is its eternal
seal.
The prayer by the President, at the close
of the sermon, was an eloquent benediction
upon the graduating class. Tomorrow even
ing will occur the junior prize exhibition.